What is Kinesiotape?
Dr.Kenzo Kase founded Kinesiotape in 1973 in Japan. Had international exposure due to use in ’88 Seoul Olympics’ and introduced to USA in 1995. Kinesiotape is approved for treatment during any of the stages of injury, in addition is a powerful injury preventative. Used in acute, subacute and rehabilitative phase. Can be used with cryotherapy, hydrotherapy, manual therapy, electro-stimulation, acupuncture.
Kinesiotape can be applied and worn 24h a day, between 3-5 days.
Kinesiotape vs Other Taping techniques
What is Wellness Chiropractic?
There are 3 major taping techniques
1.Athletic taping
- Primary use is not rehabilitative
- Acute injuries and injury prevention
- Limited wear time
- Skin irritation due to latex adhesive
- Requires pre-tape or spray adhesive
- Compression of the skin, joints, muscles
- Used to limit or assist motion
2.McConnell taping
- Bracing or strapping technique /Endura or Leuko teape/
- Extremity rigid, cotton mesh tape
- Require pre-tape
- Limited uses- primary orthopaedic
- Limited wear time due to skin irritation
- Poor adhesive quality when wet
- Kinesiotape
- Latex free
- Safe for paediatrics to geriatric population
- Longer wear time -3 to 5 day period
- Well tolerated
- Rehablitative
- Works with the body to allow normal ROM
Five major Physiological effects of Kinesiotape
- Skin
- Fascia
- Muscle
- Joint
- Circulatory/Lymphatic Systems
SKIN
Skin is the largest sensing organ of the body
Skin is very flexible allowing for motion
The skin is breathing
Allowing certain substances in while protecting from others
Kinesiotape effects the sensors of the skin through its application process.
Different modalities of sensation can be perceived from a given patch of skin.
Kinesiotape can reduce pain by alleviating pressure on pain receptors and reduce swelling by increasing fluid movement.
CIRCULATORY/ LYMPHATIC SYSTEM
Increase interstitial lymphatic fluid flow
Enhance fluid exchange between tissue layers
Reduce oedema
Equalize temperature
Lift the skin, causing convolutions
Create channels of low pressure on neural receptors under the skin in congested areas
Decrease pain
Huge bruise on tight for example can be dramatically improved within 12h kinesiotape application.
MUSCLE
Relieves pain
Increase range of motion
May normalise length/tension ratios to create optimal force
Assist tissue recovery
Reduces fatigue
Improves muscle contraction of a weakened muscle /facilitation/
Stimulate relaxation of over-contracted muscle /inhibition
JOINT
Improves joint biomechanics and alignment
Balance agonist and antagonist
Reduces protective muscle guarding and pain
Facilitate ligament and tendon function
Enhance kinaesthetic awareness
Pathologic joint alignment /muscle-joint balance/
Tape for pain and cause of pain
CONTRAINDICATIONS OF KINESIOTAPE:
Over active malignancy site
Over active cellulitis or skin infection
Open wounds
Deep vein thrombosis
PRECAUTIONS
Diabetes
Kidney disease
Congestive Heart Failure
CAD or Bruits in the carotid artery
Fragile or healing skin
May require approve from a physician before apply
ALWAYS
Appropriate tension in “Therapeutic zone”
Remove if itching or increased in pain